You Can't Take It with You (1938)

Release date: 1938-09-29
Country: USA
Language: English|Russian
Director: Frank Capra
Production Co: Columbia Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Drama
Rating: 7.9/10
Length: 2h 6min

Storyline

The stenographer Alice Sycamore is in love with her boss Tony Kirby, who is the vice-president of the powerful company owned by his greedy father Anthony P. Kirby. Kirby Sr. is dealing a monopoly in the trade of weapons, and needs to buy one last house in a twelve block area owned by Alice's grandparent Martin Vanderhof. However, Martin is the patriarch of an anarchic and eccentric family where the members do not care for money but for having fun and making friends. When Tony proposes Alice, she states that it would be mandatory to introduce her simple and lunatic family to the snobbish Kirbys, and Tony decides to visit Alice with his parents one day before the scheduled. There is an inevitable clash of classes and lifestyles, the Kirbys spurn the Sycamores and Alice breaks with Tony, changing the lives of the Kirby family.

Plot Keywords

hug, family relationships, transformation, reporter, real estate, playwright, friendship, father son relationship, communism, tycoon, self discovery, embarrassment, grandfather granddaughter relationship, accordion, duet, darts, dancing, crutches, confession, board meeting

Short Review

Though much of the comedy blends forced gaiety with sentiment, Arthur and Stewart bring shivery intensity and playful intimacy to the young lovers' ardent bond.